Number of Citizens Qualified for Public Assistance and ComCare Schemes

Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports since the relaxation of the criteria for the Public Assistance (PA) scheme and other financial schemes announced earlier this year (a) how many more citizens have qualified for the PA scheme; and (b) how many more families have benefited from ComCare as of 31 July 2012.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: On 1 April 2012, MCYS revised the Public Assistance (PA) criteria to allow more needy elderly to be assisted under the scheme. From 1 April to 31 July 2012, more than 100 new households were approved for long-term assistance under PA. As at 31 July 2012, 3,033 households are on PA as compared to 2,992 households a year ago.

Also on 1 April 2012, the household income cap for short- and medium-term ComCare assistance was raised and a per capita income criterion was introduced to provide more help to larger families and those requiring childcare, kindergarten and student care subsidies. From 1 April 2012 to 31 July 2012, over 3,000 households qualified for short and medium term assistance and about 1,900 applications for childcare, kindergarten and student care subsidies were approved. As at 31 July 2012, there were 9,911 households on short- and medium-term assistance, compared to 5,471 households a year ago; 18,997 beneficiaries were receiving childcare, kindergarten and student care subsidies as at 31 July 2012, compared to 18,039 beneficiaries a year ago.

MCYS will continue to monitor and review the adequacy of the ComCare schemes to ensure the needs of the relevant groups are met.

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